Confucius Quotes

It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.

Confucius

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.

Confucius

The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.

Confucius

There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is limitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest.

Confucius

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

Confucius

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Confucius

Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.

Confucius

Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.

Confucius

When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

Confucius

The man who in view of gain thinks of righteousness; who in the view of danger is prepared to give up his life; and who does not forget an old agreement however far back it extends - such a man may be reckoned a complete man.

Confucius

When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge.

Confucius

If we don't know life, how can we know death?

Confucius

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

Confucius

To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

Confucius

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

Confucius

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

Confucius

The superior man...does not set his mind either for anything, or against anything; what is right he will follow.

Confucius

In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.

Confucius

Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.

Confucius

Old age, believe me, is a good and pleasant thing. It is true you are gently shouldered off the stage, but then you are given such a comfortable front stall as spectator.

Confucius

The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.

Confucius

Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it

Confucius

Study the past if you would define the future.

Confucius

You cannot open a book without learning something.

Confucius

The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved.

Confucius

We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.

Confucius

I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there.

Confucius

When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.

Confucius

To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.

Confucius

What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.

Confucius

Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.

Confucius

The cautious seldom err.

Confucius

Have no friends not equal to yourself.

Confucius

If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.

Confucius

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.

Confucius

I have not seen a person who loved virtue, or one who hated what was not virtuous. He who loved virtue would esteem nothing above it.

Confucius

Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.

Confucius

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

Confucius

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

Confucius

When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

Confucius

Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.

Confucius

They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

Confucius

He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good.

Confucius

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

Confucius

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

Confucius

To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

Confucius

If a man withdraws his mind from the love of beauty, and applies it as sincerely to the love of the virtuous; if, in serving his parents, he can exert his utmost strength; if, in serving his prince, he can devote his life; if in his intercourse with his friends, his words are sincere - although men say that he has not learned, I will certainly say that he has

Confucius

Confucius Biography

Born: 551 B.C.E.Died: 479 B.C.E.

Confucius was a ancient Chinese philosopher who's thoughts and wisdom on morality and justice had and still has an great impact in China.